A proposal to build new homes on the site of a former boat building yard in Heybridge has been refused, after receiving 33 letters of objection from residents.

Macron Securities Ltd had hoped to demolish the existing buildings on the former Chelmer and Blackwater Navigation Boat Building Yard on Lock Hill, in Heybridge Basin, and build five two-bedroom work-live homes in their place.

Each proposed home included a home-working space, utility rooms and a guest bathroom on the ground floor and an open plan living space and two bedrooms on the first floor, alongside shaded balconies.

HAT Projects, the agent, said in a planning statement that the flexible workspace on the ground floor comprised the development's "approach to managing flood risk".

They added: "This retains an element of commercial activity on the site and ground floor active uses, while ensuring that all the habitable space is placed above the flood datum."

However, turning down the application, planning officers at Maldon District Council said the site has the "highest risk of flooding" as it lies in tidal flood zone 3a, adding that the homes would have a "high vulnerability to flooding".

They said the development would lie in an "unsustainable location", result in the loss of employment land and "harm the character and appearance of the area".

They also raised concerns about parking.

The site, which is currently derelict, has been the subject of several planning applications since the 1990s.

One of the reasons for refusal of the previous application to build homes on the site, in 2009, was that it did not comply with national policy regarding housing development in areas at risk of flooding.

HAT Projects said the site "represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to complete the canal frontage and replace the derelict and dilapidated buildings on the site with a respectful, attractive and appropriate development".

Yet out of the 34 letters submitted by residents regarding the application, 33 objected to the plans.

Many residents cited concerns about flooding in their letters, with one saying: "Our entire village was evacuated in 2013. This deems the proposal unsustainable."

Another resident said the design of the homes are not "in keeping with the cottages on the canal front".

A further objector said: "The idea that the ground floor will not be adapted to living space is preposterous."

They added: "The adjacent canal walls are leaking and unstable. There is not enough provision for parking.

"There is absolutely no benefit to the village."

Maldon District Council issued its refusal of the plans on Tuesday (30 November).